Pseudoeuphausia

Pseudoeuphausia is a genus of krill in the family Euphausiidae. These small, shrimp-like crustaceans are found in the Southern Ocean, primarily inhabiting Antarctic waters. The genus currently contains two recognized species: Pseudoeuphausia latifrons and Pseudoeuphausia sinensis. Pseudoeuphausia latifrons is the more widely distributed of the two, with its range extending across much of the Antarctic circumpolar current. Pseudoeuphausia sinensis, as its name suggests, has a more restricted distribution, being found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, near China.

Krill of the genus Pseudoeuphausia are pelagic, meaning they live in the open ocean, and are typically found in large swarms. They play a significant role in the Antarctic food web, serving as a primary food source for a variety of predators, including fish, penguins, seals, and whales. Their diet consists mainly of phytoplankton. The life cycle of Pseudoeuphausia involves several larval stages before reaching adulthood. Like other euphausiids, they possess photophores, light-producing organs, though their function in this genus is not as well-understood as in some other krill species. Research on Pseudoeuphausia contributes to our understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics, particularly in polar regions.